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The Utah Utes take on the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, November 14. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Utah is favored by 1.5 points (-105) on the spread with a moneyline of -113. Arizona enters as a 1.5-point (-115) underdog and is -106 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 55.5 total points (-110 / -110).
Here’s my Utah vs. Arizona prediction and college football pick for Saturday, November 14.
Utah vs Arizona Prediction, Picks
- Utah vs. Arizona Pick: Arizona +2.5 or Better
My Arizona vs. Utah best bet is on the Wildcats to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Utah vs Arizona Odds, Betting Line, Over/Under
| Utah Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 55.5 -110o / -110u | -113 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 55.5 -110o / -110u | -106 |
- Utah vs Arizona point spread: Utah -1.5 (-105), Arizona +1.5 (-115)
- Utah vs Arizona over/under: 55.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Utah vs Arizona moneyline: Utah -113, Arizona +106
Utah vs Arizona Betting Preview
Utah Utes
Utah won the Holy War during a titanic Week 10, but how much is to blame on a meltdown from BYU?
The Cougars made uncharacteristic mistakes all over the board, from four interceptions by Bear Bachmeier to 11 penalties and critical missed tackles.
BYU actually outgained Utah by 6.1 to 5.3 yards per play, relying on special teams and turnovers to gain advantageous field position.
Utah failed to establish a methodical drive on offense, finishing with nearly 10% fewer available yards than the national average.
Quarterback Devon Dampier has filled the highlight reel this season, but a mark of 103rd in Havoc allowed has yet to translate to wins for the Utes.
The Utah defense missed more tackles than BYU did in the game, sinking its PFF tackling grade further to 89th.
The Utes continue to struggle to create a pass rush and have allowed explosive plays at critical moments.
Utah's defense ranks 112th in passing downs EPA allowed, as head coach Morgan Scalley continues to see the undefeated defense fall outside the top 100 in 30-yard passes allowed.
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona will have extra rest after a Friday night conference win over TCU. Although the Wildcats beat the Horned Frogs by a point, head coach Brent Brennan exited Week 10 with a 64% post-game win expectancy.
Arizona averaged nearly two yards per play more than TCU, tossing eight explosive passes through the arm of quarterback Noah Fifita.
The fifth-year senior has 21 passing touchdowns on the season with just six turnover-worthy plays, resulting in the lowest mistake rate of his career at Arizona.
Fifita has two of the most dangerous weapons among any Power 4 pass-catching combinations: wideout Isaiah Mizell and slot receiver Giovanni Richardson.
Richardson clocks in at 4.4 yards per route run, the only player in college football with 35 targets to exceed the explosiveness of Miami's Malachi Toney.
Danny Gonzales' nickel defense ranks highly in Success Rate but falls in the middle of FBS in generating Havoc. Arizona resides in the top 30 in Success Rate, closely matching a top-40Â rank in yards per game and points allowed.
The Wildcats have one of the lowest pressure rates this season but have made each attempt pay, ranking among the top 10 in sacks. Edge Chase Kennedy has six on the season, also tied in pressures with edge Cooper Blomstrom.
One key to beating Utah will be average distance on third down, as Utah ranks fourth nationally in conversions, while Arizona is 77th in third-down defense.
How To Make Utah vs Arizona Picks, Best Bets
The biggest question around Utah is a hangover from both on- and off-field issues. The Utes are completing a whirlwind schedule that includes a Holy War victory, road wins over Cincinnati and Colorado and an unlikely fourth-quarter cover against Houston.
Off the field, Utah entered the College Football Playoff as the third-best team in the initial rankings, but the pressure mounts on the undefeated season week by week.
The Utes have a softer strength of schedule at 69th, with numerous stat categories outside the top 100, including Stuff Rate, explosives allowed and various special-teams units.
Arizona has experience facing Utah's multiple-run concepts. Zone read, power and counter have been the calling card for the Utes' combination of Dampier and running back Wayshawn Parker.
The Wildcats have at least a 51% Success Rate against all combinations and an even higher 60% Success Rate against zone read with two tight ends.
Utah runs a heavy amount of outside zone with 12 personnel, an area Arizona should provide stops through the defensive line.
When the Wildcats have the ball, Utah could struggle to defend Mizell and Richardson. The Utes have one of the heaviest man-coverage schemes in the FBS, but Fifita has carved up opponents in man coverage with a 51% Success Rate.
A potential pivot to Cover 1 could increase the chances of an explosive play from Fifita, with an EPA of 0.25 per attempt.
Action Network's Betting Power Ratings list Utah as a -1 favorite, giving Arizona the edge in the market. The Utes could be in a post-BYU hangover but have dipped into luck territory with a 27% post-game win expectancy against Colorado.
Arizona has the numbers in the passing game to give the Utes' secondary a tough evening, while a top-10 sack total should keep Dampier contained in the pocket.
Pick: Arizona +2.5 or Better
Utah vs Arizona Betting Trends
